Rick Identification please

[paul_yan]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Super nice deal. Welcome aboard, Ross!

[atomic_punk]

Judging from the picture you posted with the bass in the case, I would say the case is not original. But it looks like it will do the job!
Nice get, welcome, and rock out like Motorhead!

[baba]

Black tolex, blue plush liner.

Black tolex - check
Blue plush - no go

The case works ok, but there's about 3 or 4 inches of shift from left to right. I'll have to mod it or hunt for a period correct case.

I'm planning on stringing her up with some Slinky's I have laying around. I'm a nickel round wound kind of guy. Any other string suggestions out there that compliment the Rick tone?

[wints]

Nice deal Ross.

D'Addario's work well for many...

[cjj]

Yeah, the interior of that case doesn't look quite right. As for markings, they didn't always have anything. I had a '74 4001 and now have an '84 4003 and both cases had no markings whatsoever, just black tolex. And you can't go by interior color either. My '73 had blue plush, the '84 has an orangeish color. I think John Hall mentioned in some thread I read that they used various suppliers and had different colors from time to time.

One thing I've always seen is an interior storage compartment at the headstock end, at least in the older cases.

Congrats on the score! You're going to have a hard time going back to any other bass after this, but you may find yourself longing for another Rick soon. They are quite contagious...

[bob_atherton]

Hi Ross, that is a great bass and a great deal. 1K for a good 4003S is a steal.

[Ric O'Sound]

Hey Ross, welcome to the forum!

Man, you'd better make sure the local police don't show up at your door and try to arrest you for highway robbery
You made out like a bandit on that deal. I'm totally envious (this is how green -> ). Enjoy the bass!

[jps]

Any other string suggestions out there that compliment the Rick tone?

TI Jazz Rounds are great on Ricks. They are very low tension, the lowest in the known universe, but once you get used to them...

[doctorwho]

Welcome, Ross, you got a great deal on the 4003S!

If you search the Bass section, you will find all sorts of string recommendations. Of course, what sounds and feels right to you will be the best to use!

I love my 1975 4003S WHT WT.

[rickaddict]

I love my 1975 4003S WHT WT.

I think you mean your 4001S, Gary. (There I go nit-picking again!)

Well done, Ross! Many happy Ricken-years to you! I agree with others here that your case is not original. Yours would most likely have come with a form-fitted black tolex covered case like this, but probably with a black fur lining:

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

Finding one is gonna be tough. I've seen them go over 300.00 on eBay. This would be a good alternative:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/ ... sku=549021

$195 is a good price. Funny that its out of stock, yet its on sale! Both of my '87 4003S basses rest in cases just like this when they're not being used, so they'll definitely fit. (One of mine came w/o a case, the other's original case got ruined).

About strings...everybody has their own opinions there. You said you like nickel rounds? So do I. I have Elixers on both of my 4003S basses. They're a GoreTex coated string, so they're buttery smooth and last WAY long. They don't go on quite as bright as most nickel rounds, but they stay consistent. They're a pretty high tension string, but your neck should be able to handle them. You might have to tighten up the truss rods though. I use Ernie Ball slinkys when I want to be nicer to my necks, they're a little lower tension.

Rock on!

[rickaddict]

Here's what your bass would look like if it were Ruby (Candy Apple Red) and had chrome hardware!

http://rickresource.com/register/user_i ... llsize.jpg

[doctorwho]

... I think you mean your 4001S, Gary. (There I go nit-picking again!) ...

Not nit-picking at all, Jeff, you are right ... I actually made a typo (gasp)!.

[johnallg]

Welcome Ross, and you did get quite the deal. Welcome aboard the RRF S train, and your ridin' in the MGBT car - its comfy in here.

Mine before mods:
http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/down ... hp?id=7549

Mine now:
http://www.rickresource.com/phpBB3/down ... hp?id=7550

[ben_brown]

Welcome Ross, and yes you did get a great deal. As John said...welcome aboard the RRF S train, and I'm ridin' in the FG car - its comfy in here too as well.
I use DR Sunbeams...100-40...low tenson nickel wound.